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Hi I'm Joseph

I run track and cross country. I love playing and listening to music. I've been a member my whole life. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

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I ran cross country since 6th grade, and track since 7th. I like to play piano and sing especially loud to myself in the car. I can sing in front of people, but it doesn't happen a lot. I'm in the last couple months of my mission to Santa Rosa, California, and I love it out here. I love physical activity, relaxing, movies, mountains, EFY, cinnamon rolls, you name it. I plan to attend BYU in January of 2017 and may study something along the lines of engineering, but I'm not too sure yet. I was born in Oregon but I don't remember much about it. My family moved to Utah when I was 2, then to Gainesville, Florida when I was 6. I definitely consider Florida home, although it is just too humid and I want to go out and see other places.

Why I am a Mormon

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I was born into an active Mormon family of six children, and was taught these principles since I was crawling. I am striving to become more personally converted. A lot of people tend to think, "oh well you were born in it, of course you still are Mormon." Well as I've talked to so many people who are baptized members of our church but don't go or believe it, I see being born in the church means absolutely nothing. I have to do something about it. I am a Mormon because I love the Savior, I love being around those that strengthen my faith, and I have spiritual experiences frequently that increase my faith, which just increases my happiness. Why wouldn't I want that?!
A big reason I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Kingdom of God here on Earth, is I have read the Book of Mormon, and prayed about it A LOT. It wasn't a one time big angelic experience for me. It took time, and honestly I need a good reminder every once and awhile that that book is true. I was reading it at a church camp where we had some personal study time, and decided to sincerely ask there. I felt the words, "You already know this is true." They came crystal clear to my brain and my heart, and I realized I did know this book was true. And because of that I knew the Bible was true, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, Joseph Smith is a prophet, and this church is truly Christ's restored church. It was really quite a remarkable thing for me as a 16 year old to feel, but I can't deny it.
Being a missionary and follower of Christ, I can't help but invite you to read from the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. If you do so and tell God that you will join this church if you know it is true and do it for real, from YOU, you will have your own witness. Despite all the weird, crazy, scary, puzzling things you may have heard about the Book of Mormon, you just need to read it yourself. It will bring you closer to God, and therefore people around you as well.

How I live my faith

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I go to church each week and do my priesthood duties, and i try to read the Book of Mormon everyday. I love making friends in the church. As my mission goes on, I realize how much I need my Heavenly Father and I can't help others come to Christ without Him. Really what makes a difference in my life is when I serve others, because one thing I know is when we serve people, that is the primary way we can serve God. Reading scriptures like the Book of Mormon and the Bible, and writing impressions I feel as I do so is hugely helpful to me. When I have a good study and good ideas to change because of it, it feels great!

What do Mormons believe about “eternal life?”

Joseph

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Eternal Life really means life that will be like God's life, where we are not only immortal and can't die, but where we have been made perfect through Christ and His Atonement. It is a life a service and love for others. Our life here on earth is really just for us to practice principles and truths that will make us better, and eventually make us able to keep serving in the Kingdom of God. If we hate to help people now, why would we want to do it later? It's not super easy to serve completely selflessly, but we can begin to try, and work to make ourselves more like Christ.Show moreShow less

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